Interview Insights | Key Question: What didn’t you enjoy about your last job?

What didn’t you enjoy about your last job?

You likely have a laundry list of items; yet, it is in poor form to complain during an interview.

So what’s behind this question? What are interviewers trying to figure out?

Here are what a handful of recruiters, who focus on marketing, technology, and financial services roles with whom I’ve worked with, told me that they are searching for in your response to this question:

• Is the open role filled with your least desirable tasks?
• Are you able to turn lemons into lemonade?
• Do you limit your ways of problem-solving?

Now, how can you think through your response? Here’s a script that’s proven very helpful for my clients who really didn’t have many positive things to say about their prior roles.

What I disliked about my last job was that I didn’t have the opportunity to [INSERT SOMETHING THAT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO DO IN THE NEW ROLE ](ex. manage a team, showcase my presentation skills, meet with customers, work with a global team). I’ve gotten very close to being able to [THAT EXPERIENCE ABOVE] yet the situation wasn’t right.

Thankfully, when I evaluated this current role, after I read the job description and networked with [INSERT SOMEONE WHO VALIDATED THIS], I learned that I would certainly have a chance to [THAT EXPERIENCE ABOVE] in order to refine that skill in a way that I can add incremental value above and beyond this role.

As a matter of a fact, I’ve been [SHOW HOW YOU’VE BEEN PREPPING FOR THAT EXPERIENCE] (working with Toastmasters International ®, taking on mentors and coaching them on how to build models, extending my industry contacts worldwide, deep-diving into what customers want) in the meantime.

I have already learned [ENTER A RELEVANT LEARNING]. I imagine I can bring this [ENTER THAT LEARNING] to Amazon in [ENTER A WAY THAT IS RELEVANT].

The script above laid out into one example is simply:

What I disliked about my last job was that I didn’t have the opportunity to showcase my presentation skills. I’ve gotten very close to being able to present yet the situation wasn’t right.  As a result of this miss, when I evaluated this role, I sought for that opportunity in the job description and I asked Brenda the senior accountant on the business if I would have a chance to present to senior leaders as well. I researched this before applying because I knew that I’d be excited to refine this skill in a way that I can add incremental value above and beyond to Amazon. Actually, I joined Toastmasters International ® to focus on my public speaking skills. I have already learned how to organize an impromptu presentation. I imagine I can bring my ability to quickly organize key thoughts to Amazon when I provide author relations updates to your senior leaders across the firm.

The insight is that you point out how your old job lacked an opportunity that your new job will encompass. The caveat is that you did your homework and confirmed you will indeed get a chance to exercise this skill.

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